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Only just discovered these recently, and I'm very surprised because I thought they'd have more critical praise and underground respect than they actually do. Is it just me who thinks this album is astonishingly good? Very able musicians, interestingly strange song structuring, and some of the best lyrics I've heard in a very long time. They sound like a more complex and developed Sufjan Stevens (an impressive feat). It's been getting fairly mixed reviews... Pitchfork even gave it 5.3.... double you tee eff?

but the album before that is pretty good. Its ambition means it's a little unfocused and indulgent at times, but there are some awesome songs on there. They're playing in London in May and I'm very tempted to go.

which came as quite a surprise to me as they never really interested me as a band before that. I think it helped that it seemed to "click" straight away for me when a lot of over albums didn't last year.

I thought it would get more praised as well, it seems there was a bit of buzz then it died so quickly. I should really try and catch these live some time in the future.

albums of last year. Agree with the comment above about the debut being less focussed, Canopy Glow is a much sharper set, they've reined it in a fair bit. If you're thinking of going to see them I'd recommend that you do, saw them in November at the Adlephi in Hull and they were great. Friendly people too.

is that other bands who sound quite similar (Sufjan, Efterklang, Mum, Hjaltalin etc etc) get a lot of critical acclaim, if not necessarily wide popularity (well, Sufjan is pretty popular). I was just really shocked that Pitchfork of all places slated them as well. Weird...